Manners maketh man, or at least so goes the much-quoted expression.
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expression → maketh → man
But what constitutes as good etiquette in 2026, and which set of rules for men are viewed as 'out of date'?
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set → constitute → date
On Monday night, Euphoria actor Jacob Elordi, 29, was filmed erupting at paparazzi in Paris during a romantic outing with his new girlfriend Kendall Jenner, 30, begging the photographers to 'just let us walk, just let us go', while angrily shaking his fist.
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us → film → fist
It was a move that some social media users criticised, suggesting the Hollywood star should be used to the attention now that he's dating one of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, who are some of the most photographed faces in the world.
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who → criticise → world
Others praised the Australian for being 'protective' of his girlfriend - but does the 'knight in shining armour' move hark back to a bygone era, before millennials and Generation Z changed what it meant to be chivalrous?
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it → praise → what
For Laura Windsor, known as the Queen of Etiquette, who advised Netflix on Regency-era social graces for Bridgerton, Jacob's display was perhaps more an example of how not to behave as a gentleman in this day and age.
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display → know → day
'Today, chivalry is less about assuming that a woman needs rescuing and more about being considerate, reading the room and respecting her independence and freedom,' explained Laura to The Daily Mail.
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Laura → assume → Mail
But it seems the rules are as strict as ever in some instances, with the expert insisting men should still let women order at restaurants before them and also walk on the outside of the pavement - but perhaps surprisingly, there's no need to pay for even the first date anymore.
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women → seem → date
So, are you a modern day man or would your chivalry be viewed as out-of-date by the women in your circles?
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chivalry → view → circles
On Monday night, Euphoria actor Jacob Elordi, 29, was filmed erupting at paparazzi in Paris during a romantic outing with his new girlfriend Kendall Jenner, 30, begging the photographers to 'just let us walk, just let us go', while angrily shaking his fist
Don’t fight a woman’s battles for her without asking first
Laura said: 'The emphasis has now shifted from defending a woman’s honour to respecting her space and understanding what she actually wants, rather than deciding what you think she needs.
'
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she → film → what
It is not about proving your masculinity by launching into an argument or, heaven forbid, a physical fight that ruins everyone’s evening.
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that → prove → evening
'Sometimes the most gentlemanly thing a man can do is exercise a little self-control, respond calmly or simply walk away… with your woman of course!'
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man → do → course
Laura said: 'If someone is insulting or harassing your wife or partner, ask her if she is all right and if she wants you to intervene; she may well handle the situation far better than you - and without all that testosterone clouding her judgement.
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testosterone → say → judgement
Sometimes, all is needed is a quiet word, a raised eyebrow or a look of wonder and an embarrassed chuckle.
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needed → need → wonder
'Of course, offer your support if she asks for it.
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she → offer → it
She’s not looking for Prince Charming or a knight in shining armour when she hasn’t asked for one.
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she → look → one
True chivalry is knowing when and when not to intervene.
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chivalry → know → ?
'
The rules have changed when it comes to paying the bill
'Whoever invites the other to dinner, is the person who is expected to pay', warned the etiquette expert.
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expert → change → dinner
'If a woman invites you out then she should pay the bill - which should be handled without awkwardness.
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which → invite → awkwardness
Ideally, it is always better to be excused and pay the bill away from your date.
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it → excuse → date
Walking on the outside of the pavement has its place
'
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Walking → walk → place
This old-fashioned gesture dates back to the days of horse-drawn carriages, when walking on the outside of the pavement meant a gentleman could protect a woman from being splashed by passing traffic - and, rather less romantically, the occasional shower of horse dung,' said Laura.
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Laura → date → dung
'Today, the danger is less about muddy puddles and more about fast moving traffic, so the gesture still has its place.
'
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gesture → move → place
These may seem like tiny details, but they can speak volumes about a person’s character.
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they → seem → character
It’s not about expecting a round of applause for such a gesture - it's about being observant, considerate and thoughtful without being rewarded for it.
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it → ’ → it
Your wife or girlfriend may not notice you’ve done it.
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you → notice → it
But you have and that’s the point.
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that → have → ?
For Laura Windsor (pictured), known as the Queen of Etiquette, who advised Netflix on Regency-era social graces for Bridgerton, Jacob's display was perhaps more an example of how not to behave as a gentleman in this day and age
Let her order first - but don’t speak for her
'
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her → picture → her
Traditionally, a lady would always order first but she would tell her male companion what she wanted, and he would then relay her choice to the waitstaff,' explained the expert.
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expert → order → waitstaff
'Today, the same courtesy applies, but there is no need for you to speak on her behalf.
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you → apply → behalf
If you’ve invited her to dinner, allow her to order first.
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her → invite → dinner
'It’s a small gesture that shows you are attentive to your guest and want her to feel comfortable and valued.
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her → ’ → guest
It's called guest etiquette, no matter their gender.
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It → call → gender
'And if she invites you next time, hopefully she’ll extend the same courtesy to you.
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she → invite → you
'
Offer your coat but don't just place it on her shoulders without asking
Laura said: 'Helping someone with a coat, offering an arm on uneven ground especially if she is wearing heels or carrying something heavy can be thoughtful.
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she → offer → something
But a simple "allow me" or "may I" will suffice to show that you acknowledge the lady and that you are solely doing it for her comfort, not for display or to impress.
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you → allow → display
'If she declines, accept it gracefully and move on - no wounded egos please as if she has just rejected your greatest act of chivalry.
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she → decline → chivalry
The only reason men pulled out chairs for women "in the old days" was that chairs were so heavy they practically needed a gym membership to move,' revealed the etiquette expert.
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expert → pull → membership
Nowadays, most chairs are so lightweight that even a child can manage one without breaking into a sweat.
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child → manage → sweat
'Modern-day chivalry still requires having good manners - be observant, use your common sense and be aware of the woman standing before you!
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chivalry → require → you
…and 11 more, not listed.
The Aporia
